Perfect timing from the raining champion as Ohuruogu lays down Olympic marker

The most dramatic rain of the day
arrived in early evening, drenching
the athletes who huddled together
on the open-top bus.

But they waved
bravely and smiled gallantly as they
toured the sodden track. And the
Crystal Palace crowd responded in
kind; ignoring the weather and bellowing
encouragement to Britain's
Olympians as the bus rumbled on.

When it rounded the top bend,
before disappearing from sight, we
caught a glimpse of the destination
board, gleaming through the gathering
gloom. It bore a single word:
'Stratford'.

Queen of the Palace: Christine Ohuruogu storms to 400m victory in horrendous conditions at the London stadium

The patience of the fans had been sorely tested, both by the wretched July weather and the belated withdrawal of the enigmatic triple jumper Phillips Idowu. But their faith was intact and their spirits had just been lifted by one of the most dependable acts that British athletics has to offer.

Christine Ohuruogu is the reigning Olympic and former world 400metres champion. As such, she possesses the priceless ability to deliver her finest performances on the grandest occasions. Yesterday, in the final event of a hectic weekend, she gave notice that her gift has not deserted her.

Matched with Botswana's current world champion Amantle Montsho, she watched her rival streak away at suicidal pace. Declining to panic, Ohuruogu tracked her prudently and overhauled her slowly, remorselessly. Coming off the final bend, Christine backed her superior strength as the fans drove her forward.

She drove herself all the way to the line, coming home comfortably in 50.42 secs. It was her fastest time in three years and it prompted a host of golden dreams.

Not a woman to be easily carried away, she thanked the crowd for hanging on. She admitted that the victory was 'nice' and that: 'It's been a really long road since 2008, really tough. It's good to know I'm fit and healthy and have done my work.'

She also conceded that conditions were 'nasty', but added: 'I don't think too much about conditions, I just put the race together, talk to my coach, work on what I have to work on and get back to work on Monday. We've still got three weeks' work to do, working continuously, sharpening up for London.'

Happy when it rains: Christine Ohuruogu celebrates victory in the 400m

She does not allow herself to dwell
on thoughts of gold. 'I don't hear that
talk,' she says. 'I just focus on my
race plan, don't get involved in all
the noise and hype - just make sure
I am in a good frame of mind and do
what I have to do on the track.'
As you will see, she is not a woman
whose head is lightly turned. But
the signs are familiar, and they are
hopeful.

In truth, those Palace fans were
relieved to see Ohuruogu in such
form, since the day had asked more
questions than it answered. They had been mightily
encouraged by the form
of Perri Shakes-Drayton
and Mo Farah on Friday
evening, but Idowu's
11th-hour withdrawal
with a reported hip
injury had dimmed
the opt imistic
mood.

Since Idowu
and the national
coach, Charles
van Commenee,
communicate
only by
rumour, it is
never easy to
establish the
truth of his actions. Earlier in the
week, the Olympic silver medallist
denied having been injured: 'I've not
mentioned anything about an injury.

No one's actually heard the words
come out of my mouth, from my
coach or from any of my representatives,
so I've kind of just let that
rumour mill just stir itself.'
Yesterday, he tweeted: 'Sorry to
have to pull out. Slight bit of muscle
tightness. I will be fine in a day or 2.'
He insists his Olympic ambitions
remain intact. We shall see.

One who will certainly be there,
and with a contender's
chance of a medal of some
metal, is the seasoned
javelin thrower Goldie
Sayers. Fourth in Beijing,
she demonstrated that
she, too, has that knack of
timing as she threw a
British record of 66.17m.

Good form: Goldie Sayers had one of her best days ever

'It was just a special
moment,' she said. 'Sometimes
you have to enjoy
being in great shape and
great form. The last time
I threw a personal best was in the
Olympic final. Obviously I'm going
to have to throw a lot further in the
Olympic stadium, but I do think it
would be to my benefit if it rained,
that's for sure.'

Presented with a $5,000 cheque
from Aviva, she announced: 'The
drinks are on me,' - not a phrase
we often hear from the mouth of a
self-denying, finely tuned athlete.

The saddest sight of the day was
that of Tiffany Porter breaking
down with a back injury in the high
hurdles and disappearing in floods
of tears with her Olympic place in
jeopardy. Most surprising was the
defeat of Australia's Sally Pearson
in the final of that event. One of
those who had hitherto been considered
a near certainty for gold, having
won 31 of her 32 races, she was
overtaken by the gifted American
Kellie Wells.

But then, nothing is certain, everything
is to play for and soon the merry
madness will be upon us. It was a
thought to delight a sporting nation
as we watched that bus with its cargo
of dreamers disappear into the July
murk. On its way to Stratford.